Sandstone, Bears Ears National Monument, Utah (Mike Painter)
November 27, 2024
Dear CalUWild Friends & Supporters—
I decided to wait with this month’s Update until the dust from the election had settled a bit, so as not to add to an overwhelming number of post-election emails and announcements. I don’t have much to add to most of what’s been said. The good news is that there is tremendous popular support for land conservation in this country. The key will be to mobilize it. So we will take things one day at a time and continue to provide you with the information and tools needed to protect our wild areas, public lands, and other important values in the years ahead. We’ll discuss the outlook for the next administration in more detail next month.
It is getting time for CalUWild’s Annual Membership Appeal, so please consider supporting the organization as the year ends. Notices will be going out by U.S. Mail and email, so please be on the lookout (but not for “Giving Tuesday”). If you’ve received a printed notice in the past and would prefer receiving one by email, please send me an email. And if you’d like to get a head start on a contribution, complete information is at the bottom of this Update. Thanks for your consideration!
This Thanksgiving, despite the challenges ahead, let’s not forget that we still have a lot to be thankful for. Thank you for supporting CalUWild and our public lands on this, our 27th Anniversary.
Best wishes,
Mike Painter, Coordinator
IN CALIFORNIA & NEVADA
1. National Monument Campaigns Continue
Contact the White House
(ACTION ITEM)
IN THE PRESS & ELSEWHERE
2. Links to Articles and Other Items of Interest
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IN CALIFORNIA & NEVADA
1. National Monument Campaigns Continue
Contact the White House
(ACTION ITEM)
President Biden issued a proclamation designating November as Native American Heritage Month, highlighting the importance his administration has placed on Tribal issues. He has hosted a Tribal Summit at the White House annually, with the next one taking place on December 9 and has designated several national monuments protecting significant Tribal lands—in addition to restoring Bears Ears National Monument.
There is still time in this administration to designate more monuments (and in fact, presidents often create several at the end of their terms). We’re still hoping for three here in California (and possibly one in Nevada).
Please contact the White House via the online webform (preferred)
or by phone: 202-456-1111
and voice support for the designation of Sáttítla, Chuckwalla, and Kw’tsán in California, and Bahsahwahbee in Nevada.
There has been some recent press on some of the proposals:
An article in the Los Angeles Times: Native Americans press Biden to designate three new national monuments in California (may be behind paywall)
An article in the Navajo-Hopi Observer: Lawmakers call on Biden to create Sáttítla National Monument in northern California
Thank you!
IN THE PRESS & ELSEWHERE
2. Links to Articles and Other Items of Interest
If a link is broken or otherwise inaccessible, please send me an email, and I’ll fix it or send you a PDF copy. Gift links are temporary links from some websites, allowing non-subscribers to view articles for free for a limited time. As always, inclusion of an item in this section does not imply agreement with the viewpoint expressed.
In Utah
The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition issued a press release last month when the final management plan was released.
As we reported last month, ITEM 1, the State of Utah has filed suit directly in the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to force the Federal Government to turn over public lands (mostly in the West) to the states. National Parks Traveler took an in-depth look at the issue: Utah’s Quixotic Bid To Wrest Millions Of Acres From The Federal Government
In California
An article in the Marin Independent Journal regarding the Tule elk at Pt. Reyes National Seashore: State commission approves Marin tule elk fence removal (may be behind paywall)
Follow-up articles in the San Francisco Chronicle on the Klamath Dams removal project:
First sighting of salmon in 100 years marks key milestone for California dam removal (gift link for non-subscribers)
First salmon swims all the way to Oregon after historic California dam removal (gift link for non-subscribers)
California’s massive dam removal has been lauded. But residents miss the lakes (gift link for non-subscribers)
An article in the Los Angeles Times on the Chumash Marine Sanctuary on the Central Coast: White House announces first California marine sanctuary managed by Indigenous peoples (may be behind paywall)
In Alaska
An article in the Washington Post on a controversy we have written about several times before. Biden backs controversial road through Alaska wildlife refuge (gift link for non-subscribers). We will try to have more details for submitting comments next month.
In General
An article in Fire Ecology on fire in designated wilderness: Untrammeling the wilderness: restoring natural conditions through the return of human-ignited fire with an accompanying storymap
An op-ed in the New York Times by Ted Kerasote: For the Sake of the Planet, Nations Must Protect What Is Still Wild (gift link for non-subscribers)
An article in National Parks Traveler: Arches, Rocky Mountain, And Glacier National Parks Announce Timed Entry Reservations Required In 2025
Support CalUWild!
Membership is free, but your support is both needed and appreciated. Dues are not tax-deductible, as they may be used for lobbying activities. There are several ways to contribute:
– PayPal account: info [at] caluwild [dot] org
– Venmo account: info [at] caluwild [dot] org
(CalUWild is an unincorporated citizens group, not a business,
and is not selling any goods or services.)
– Zelle (interbank transfers) account: info [at] caluwild [dot] org, Michael Painter (account administrator)
– By check payable to: CalUWild
A tax-deductible contribution may be made by check payable to Resource Renewal Institute, CalUWild’s fiscal sponsor.
Suggested levels
__ $20 Limited
__ $30 Regular
__ $60 Supporting
__ $120 Outstanding
__ Other ________
If paying by check, please include your address if it is not on the check, or print out and enclose a membership form. All checks should be mailed to:
CalUWild
P.O. Box 210474
San Francisco, CA 94121-0474
As always, if you ever have questions, suggestions, critiques, or wish to change your e-mail address or unsubscribe, all you have to do is send an email. For membership information, click here.
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